CPT code 97034: Contrast baths, each 15 minutes2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Oxnard, CA

Reports therapist-applied alternating warm and cool water immersion for a body area, billed in 15-minute units as a physical therapy modality.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality6.5K Medicare services in 2024

In Oxnard, CA, Medicare pays $15.31 for 97034 in the office.

$15.31Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+9.1%vs the national office rate ($14.03)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97034 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 97034 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Oxnard, CA
  2. What 97034 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 97034 covers

Contrast bath therapy alternates immersion of a body area in warm and cool water as a therapeutic modality. Physical and occupational therapists commonly provide it in outpatient rehabilitation settings, often for a hand, foot, or other extremity. The treatment differs from a hot or cold pack because the area is immersed in alternating-temperature water rather than treated with a pack.

Report one unit for each 15-minute increment supported by the treatment record. Documentation should identify the treated area, the contrast-bath intervention, the time provided, and its therapeutic purpose and response. This is a therapy service; a professional component modifier does not apply. Under the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction, CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Oxnard, CA compares for 97034

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97034 runs from $12.92 in Arkansas to $17.82 in Alaska. Oxnard, CA pays $15.31. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

97034 in Oxnard, CA vs other payment areas
  1. Oxnard, CA · this page$15.31
  2. Bakersfield, CA · California$14.67−$0.64
  3. Chico, CA · California$14.63−$0.68
  4. El Centro, CA · California$14.64−$0.67
  5. Fresno, CA · California$14.63−$0.68
  6. Hanford, CA · California$14.63−$0.68
  7. Los Angeles, CA · California$15.43+$0.12

Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

97034 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Madera, CACalifornia$14.63—
Merced, CACalifornia$14.63—
Modesto, CACalifornia$14.63—
Napa, CACalifornia$16.43—
Redding, CACalifornia$14.63—
Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia$14.63—
Riverside, CACalifornia$14.75—
Sacramento, CACalifornia$15.21—

97034 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$12.92

$17.82

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
97034 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$17.821
AL$13.051
AR$12.921
AZ$13.771
CA$14.63–$17.6029
CO$14.471
CT$14.751
DC$15.631
DE$13.951
FL$13.90–$14.813
GA$13.37–$14.222
GU$14.801
HI$14.801
IA$13.261
ID$13.321
IL$13.64–$14.544
IN$13.371
KS$13.221
KY$13.261
LA$13.25–$13.682
MA$14.43–$15.582
MD$14.15–$15.633
ME$13.37–$13.852
MI$13.49–$14.022
MN$13.991
MO$13.10–$13.713
MS$13.011
MT$14.031
NC$13.461
ND$13.831
NE$13.311
NH$14.261
NJ$14.96–$15.562
NM$13.541
NV$13.981
NY$13.60–$16.035
OH$13.451
OK$13.241
OR$13.90–$14.802
PA$13.46–$14.492
PR$14.101
RI$14.351
SC$13.471
SD$13.811
TN$13.271
TX$13.40–$14.398
UT$13.591
VA$13.82–$15.632
VI$14.101
VT$13.801
WA$14.39–$15.832
WI$13.521
WV$13.301
WY$13.941

See 97034 in every payment locality

How the 97034 rate is calculated

Each of 97034’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 97034

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.21

0.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense0.20

0.20 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.01

0.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

0.4200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$14.03

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Oxnard, CA inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,854

Code
97034
Physician work
0.21
Practice expense
0.20
Malpractice
0.01

GPCI2026.csv

18

Locality
Oxnard, CA
Physician work
1.028
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
0.623
Office calculation for 97034 in Oxnard, CA
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.21× 1.0280.2159
Practice expense0.20× 1.1820.2364
Malpractice0.01× 0.6230.0062
Total RVUs0.4585
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Oxnard, CA$15.31

Office: (0.21 × 1.028 + 0.2 × 1.182 + 0.01 × 0.623) × $33.4009 = $15.31

Open 97034 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 97034

The CMS indicators that decide how 97034 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 97034

Contrast baths, each 15 minutes

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures5Therapy reduction: practice expense of the second and later units is reduced.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical7Therapy service: the split doesn’t apply.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier CQ · payment effect

With and without the modifier

97034 without CQ · national office

$14.03

Contrast baths, each 15 minutes

97034-CQ · Allowed amount unchanged

$14.03

Medicare cuts its own payment by 15% after the patient’s 20% coinsurance; the allowed amount stays the same. On $100 allowed: $20 coinsurance, then Medicare pays $68 instead of $80.

How 97034 has changed in Oxnard, CA

97034 · Office / nonfacility

$15.31

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $0.48 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $14.83 to $15.31 (3.2%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $14.83changed to$15.31

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.028
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.183 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.651 changed to 0.623

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $15.26changed to$14.83

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $15.02changed to$15.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $15.95changed to$15.02

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 0.21 changed to 0.20
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.181 changed to 1.183
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.689 changed to 0.651
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $16.28changed to$15.95

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.179 changed to 1.181
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.726 changed to 0.689

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $16.42changed to$16.28

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $16.96changed to$16.42

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.178 changed to 1.179
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.700 changed to 0.726

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $16.89changed to$16.96

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.176 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.673 changed to 0.700

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $16.87changed to$16.89

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $20.27changed to$16.87

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 0.29 changed to 0.21
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.178 changed to 1.176
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.754 changed to 0.673

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $20.30changed to$20.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work GPCI 1.030 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.180 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.834 changed to 0.754

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $20.37changed to$20.30

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $20.27changed to$20.37

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $20.35changed to$20.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.030
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.187 changed to 1.180
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.720 changed to 0.834

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $20.18changed to$20.35

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 0.31 changed to 0.29
    • Work GPCI 1.034 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.193 changed to 1.187
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.605 changed to 0.720

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. October 1, 2013

    RVU13D

    No ratechanged to$20.18

  17. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$15.31Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$15.31Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$15.31Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$15.31Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$14.83Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$14.83Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$14.83Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$14.83Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$15.26Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$15.26Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$15.26Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$15.26Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$15.02Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$15.95Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$15.95Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$15.95Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$15.95Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$16.28Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$16.28Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$16.28Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$16.28Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$16.42Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$16.42Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$16.42Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$16.42Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$16.96Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$16.96Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$16.96Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$16.96Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$16.89Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$16.89Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$16.89Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$16.89Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$16.87Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$16.87Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$16.87Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$16.87Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$20.30Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$20.30Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$20.30Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$20.30Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$20.37Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$20.37Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$20.27Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$20.35Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$20.35Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$20.35Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$20.35Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$20.18Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableNot available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 97034 for an earlier date of service

Where the Oxnard, CA rate applies

Oxnard, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 26 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Oxnard
  • Thousand Oaks
  • Bell Canyon
  • Camarillo
  • Casa Conejo
  • Channel Islands Beach
  • El Rio
  • Fillmore

Browse all communities in California

97034 billing questions

How is this different from hot or cold pack therapy?

Contrast baths involve alternating warm and cool water immersion. Code 97010 describes hot or cold pack treatment, not alternating-temperature immersion.

How many units should be reported?

The code is reported in 15-minute units. Document the treatment time and the area treated to support the units billed.

Can a professional component modifier be appended?

No. CMS identifies this as a therapy service for which the professional component modifier does not apply.

How does the therapy multiple procedure payment reduction affect this service?

CMS reduces practice expense for the second and later therapy units furnished on the same day. The reduction applies to practice expense, not the work component.

When would 97022 be a better fit?

Use 97022 for whirlpool therapy involving agitated water. Code 97034 is for alternating warm and cool water immersion.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 97034PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,854 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Oxnard, CAGPCI2026.csv, line 18 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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